Sunday School is for All Ages!

 
 

Israel was instructed to eat the Passover meal as if they would run out the door at any second—coat tied, shoes fastened, walking stick in hand. God knows that when the tenth plague occurs and the firstborn sons of Egypt die, Israel will be hurried out of Egypt.

It did not matter that God had clearly foretold what would happen through Moses and Aaron (Exodus 11:1-8). It did not matter that the power of Yahweh opposed to the false gods of Egypt had been mightily displayed in nine previous plagues spanning approximately 2.5 months. Somehow the Egyptians are surprised when they awaken to death in every household (Exodus 12:30).

It did not matter in the days of Noah that God had pronounced judgment over all the sins of the world. It did not matter that He commissioned Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), to spend a minimum of 50 years building an ark. Somehow the people were still surprised when the water rose, and they were not shut inside with Noah and his family.

Jesus has clearly announced that He is coming again and will return in an hour when we least expect Him (Matthew 24:36-44). He has commissioned prophets and apostles to make it plain. He has called preachers and teachers to open the Word, which is His revelation to us. And yet, on that day, people will still be caught by surprise—even some who assumed they were all good to go (Matthew 7:15-23).

Given the suddenness of their impending deliverance, we now understand why Israel was instructed to be ready. Likewise, as we live as exiles awaiting our permanent home, we are to live ready for the Lord’s return.

Sunday School for all ages begins weekly at 9:45 AM. All are warmly welcome.

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Sunday School is for All Ages!

 
 

From the lamb sacrificed for the Passover meal, blood was to be brushed onto the lintel and doorposts of every Hebrew home in Egypt. Why such a messy, bloody sign?

The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:13).

God’s people were identified by a distinguishing mark of blood. Was this a sign of their righteousness? Nope. Israel was just as guilty as Egypt of sinning against the Most High God. After 430 years of enslavement (Exodus 12:40-41), there was more of Egypt in Israel than godliness. The reality is, there was nothing among the behavior or the practices of Israel at this point in time that separated them from the Egyptians—except the distinguishing mark of blood painted on their doorways.

The reason Israel was spared from the tenth plague was not because they were righteous or even because they were Israel. The Israelites were spared only because the blood of an innocent lamb was interposed between them and the judgment (wrath) of God. That is the only reason they were spared.

We are no different. We all deserve judgment (Romans 3:23). Some of us are covered by the blood of a Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8 KJV; 1 Peter 1:18-20) and it passes over us. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9, emphasis mine).

We are only delivered into newness of life through the blood of an innocent other. On the day of judgment yet to come, our only hope will be a gifted righteousness—the imputed righteousness of Jesus credited to us (Romans 4).

Sunday School for all ages begins weekly at 9:45 AM. All are warmly welcome.

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Sunday School is for All Ages!

 
 

In addition to the roasted lamb and bitter herbs, the Passover meal was to include unleavened bread, or bread without yeast. For 14 days, all yeast had to be completely purged from every Hebrew home.

On the first day you must remove yeast from your houses. Whoever eats what is leavened from the first day through the seventh day must be cut off from Israel…

Yeast must not be found in your houses for seven days. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a resident alien or native of the land, must be cut off from the community of Israel. Do no eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes (Exodus 12:15, 19-20).

Why such a strong injunction against breads containing yeast? In the Scriptures, yeast serves as a metaphor for sin (Matthew 16:6-12; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:9). Specific to the story of the Exodus, yeast represents the sinfulness of Egypt that the Israelites are to leave behind. Like yeast, the sinfulness of Egypt could spread & stay with them long after their deliverance. When they leave in haste carrying bread that wouldn’t have had time to rise if leavened, it is to be symbolic of leaving behind the yeast of Egypt.

Idolatry? Leave it behind.

Oppression of others for personal gain? Leave it behind.

Grasping for power even to the point of denying & defying God? Leave it behind.

Today, those of us delivered from the bondage of sin & made free in Christ Jesus likewise are called to leave the yeast of our old life behind (Romans 6; Galatians 5).

Sunday School for all ages begins weekly at 9:45 AM. All are warmly welcome.

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